Fernando ‘El Toro’ Valenzuela, the Mexican pitcher Los Angeles Dodgers legend, died this Tuesday night, October 22.
His death occurs three days before the ninth Angelina plays a reissue of the 1981 World Series, in which the Mexican pitcher won a victory, against the New York Yankees.
Fernando Valenzuela showed his skills on the diamond from his first season, when he won the Rookie of the Year Award, unleashing the so-called ‘Fernandomania’ in MLB baseball.
When did Fernando Valenzuela debut in the Major Leagues?
a young man left-handed pitcher, named Fernando Valenzuelatook the MLB by surprise on September 15, 1980.
The young man born in Etchihuaquola, in the municipality of Navojoa, in Sinaloa, was playing in the Double A branch of the Dodgers when he was called to the Los Angeles big team by the legendary manager Tom Lasorda.
The Valenzuela’s first appearance in MLB It happened as a relief pitcher, in a Dodgers game visiting the Atlanta Braves.
That day, Los Angeles was trailing 5-0 when Lasords came out of the dugout to ask for a left-handed pitcher.
The Fernando Valenzuela’s numbers were outstanding. ‘El Toro’ pitched two complete innings, allowing one hit and striking out an opponent.
From his debut, manager Tom Lasorda used him again in nine games, all as a reliever.
Fernando Valenzuela defeated the Yankees in the 1981 World Series
Already a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, ‘El Toro’ Valenzuela was a key player for the Dodgers’ 1981 title against the New York Yankees.
Fernando Valenzuela was in charge of opening game 3 of the 1981 World Series and did an impeccable job.
Valenzuela pitched the complete game that ended with a score of 5-4. That magical night, ‘El Toro’ took 147 shots from the mound of responsibility.
Fernando Valenzuela’s career in the Major Leagues
In the 1981 season, ‘Fernandomania’ broke out after the good performance of the Mexican pitcher.
Valenzuela was the rookie sensation, since at 20 years old he began the season with an 8-0 win-loss record and an ERA of 0.50.
“The left-hander capped off his incredible year by winning both the National League Rookie of the Year award and the Cy Young award, while helping Los Angeles win the World Series title,” MLB highlighted in a statement in which it regretted the death of Fernando Valenzuela.
In total, Valenzuela pitched 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, was selected to the All-Star Game 6 times and has the highest number of wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) of any pitcher born in Mexico.
Over the past 22 years, Fernando Valenzuela served as a Spanish-language commentator for the Dodgers, who retired his number 34 last year.
Rest in peace Fernando ‘El Toro’ Valenzuela.
